Fire officials: Dry hillsides demand vigilance

May 1, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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An Orange County Fire Authority hand crew descends into the brush at Peters Canyon Regional Park to demonstrate how they cut a fire line. The firefighting demonstration was part of a press conference discussing wildfire preparedness. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Wednesday morning, an Orange County Fire Authority helicopter demonstrates a water drop over the dry brush of Peters Canyon Regional Park. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A line of Orange County Fire Authority firefighters cuts a fire line in Peters Canyon Regional Park, demonstrating a basic firefighting technique to stop a wildfire. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An Orange County Fire Authority hand crew walks among the brush at Peters Canyon Regional Park after demonstrating how to cut a fire line. The firefighting demonstration was part of a press conference discussing wildfire preparedness. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

James Oblenes, 6, of San Clemente, wearing his firefighter costume from last Halloween, watches as an Orange County Fire Authority helicopter drops water on Peters Canyon Regional Park. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

An Orange County Fire Authority hand crew walks out of Peters Canyon Regional Park after demonstrating how to cut a fire line. The firefighting demonstration was part of a press conference discussing wildfire preparedness. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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James Oblenes, 6, of San Clemente, wearing his firefighter costume from last Halloween, poses for a photo on the Orange County Fire Authority's new Wildland Urban Interface Engine. The engine can fight both structure and wildland fires. It's off highway capable with high clearance. It can drive along a fire and shoot firefighting foamed water from four different nozzles. OCFA firefighter Doug Obermeier, is at left. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Orange County Fire Authority's new Wildland Urban Interface Engine can fight both structure and wildland fires. It's off highway capable with high clearance. It can drive alongside a fire and shoot firefighting foamed water from four different nozzles. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Orange County Fire Authority's new Wildland Urban Interface Engine can fight both structure and wildland fires. It's off highway capable with high clearance. It can drive alongside a fire and shoot firefighting foamed water from four different nozzles, including this one mounted on the front. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Visitors were able to tour the OCSD's mobile command unit after a press conference kicking off Wildfire Awareness Week. The unit is named SAM 1 in honor of murder victim Samantha Runnion. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Orange County Fire Authority's new Wildland Urban Interface Engine can fight both structure and wildland fires. It's off highway capable with high clearance. It can drive alongside a fire and shoot firefighting foamed water from four different nozzles. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, speaking at a press conference announcing her department's plans to combat wildfires, mentioned that suspected arsonists are being monitored by her department. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

An Orange County Fire Authority hand crew descends into the brush at Peters Canyon Regional Park to demonstrate how they cut a fire line. The firefighting demonstration was part of a press conference discussing wildfire preparedness. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Hillsides have browned earlier than usual this year, creating the dry brush that could fuel Orange County's next big wildfire, fire officials say.

"It won't be long until we have warm and dry weather with the winds blowing," said Chief Keith Richter of the Orange County Fire Authority.

On Wednesday, officials with the OCFA, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and OC Parks asked homeowners to prepare for this year's brushfire season. Fire officials want homeowners to prepare their homes and clear vegetation, precautions that fire officials said are essential in a dry year.

"We're way ahead of schedule when it comes to dryness," said George Ewan, wildland-defense planner for the OCFA.

Ewan said he checked moisture levels in brush Tuesday and found some areas nearing 60 percent – a point at which brush can become just as combustible as dead plants. The moisture levels Ewan found this week are comparable to those he usually finds in June, he said.

"We need the public to be engaged," said Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, who asked residents to report suspicious activity near open areas.

Though a number of factors can spark a brush fire, the county's last two major fires were caused by people. One was accidentally started by a vehicle's catalytic converter, but the second was caused by an arsonist.

"If (the report) turns out to be nothing, that's OK, but we want to know," she said.

Patrols in the canyon areas and open hillsides will be increased, Hutchens said, and deputies are being asked to stay alert for suspicious activity.

It's been five years since Orange County firefighters have battled a really big blaze.

The Freeway Complex fire of 2008 scorched more than 30,000 acres, destroyed 190 homes and caused more than $124 million in damages, according to an OCFA after-action report.

With the help of dry brush and strong Santa Ana winds, the flames spread quickly, jumping a freeway and outrunning firefighters rushing to protect homes. Even as firefighters manned the frontline, embers set homes on fire after flames had burned through, said Battalion Chief Kelly Zimmerman.

"There's no on-and-off switch for a fire," Zimmerman said. "It's a slug fest."

Winds also fanned flames that scorched more than 28,000 acres during the 2007 Santiago fire.

During that blaze, multiple fires were burning throughout California, stretching resources from all fire departments and keeping Orange County firefighters from receiving reinforcements for days.

"This area burns," said Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer. "At the end of the day, it's about taking care of ourselves."

With the large number of homes built right up against brush land in Orange County, the OCFA also has adopted a firefighting tactic that mixes urban and brushland strategies, Ewan said.

Most wildfires do not grow on their own, but winds and low humidity can quickly fuel the flames, he said.

That's why officials are asking homeowners to "harden homes" – a term used by firefighters that refers to using fireproof or less-combustible materials. Homeowners are encouraged to have a roof that is non-combustible, to clear leaves from rain gutters, and to make sure there are spark arrestors on chimneys.

"We provide the defense; we need the homeowners to provide the offense," Zimmerman said.

Information with tips on how to prepare a home for a possible brush fire is available at ocfa.org. Homeowners also can sign up for a wildfire consultation.

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